The purpose of the study is to test the efficacy of the Functionnal ElectromyoStimulation (FES) of lower limbs in advanced chronic heart failure. The hypothesis is that FES treatment could improve functional exercise capacity.

Functionnal ElectroStimulation on lower limbs, 1h per day, 5 days per 7, during 6 weeks

Sham Comparator: SHAM

Other: SHAM

SHAM on lower limbs, 1h per day, 5 days per 7, during 6 weeks

Detailed Description:

Advanced Chronic Heart Failure (ACHF) is a severe and frequent disease inducing a strong limitation of exercise capacity and a poor quality of life. Hospitalisation for cardiac decompensation is frequent and could alter their incapacities because of muscular deconditionning. Tradionnal aerobic rehabilitation exercises fighting against this deconditionning are not relevant in these patients because of dyspnea.

In litterature, Functionnal Electrostimulation (FES) has been tested in stable Chronic Heart Failure (NYHA I to III), far from decompensation. Several authors showed the same improvements than those obtained with conventionnal rehabilitation on aerobic capacities (peak VO2, 6 minutes walking test) and quality of life.

The originality of this study is to test FES soon after acute heart decompensation in ACHF patients. This type of rehabilitation could represent in the future an alternative to conventionnal rehabilitation until the patients could be able to do aerobic exercise.

60 patients will be randomised between two groups, the firsth receiving FES (treatment group), the second receiving skin electrostimulation in the same place without muscular contraction (Sham group). Patient and evaluator do not know what type of stimulation they have. These treatments spread over six weeks, five days per seven. They are began in rehabilitation unit then continued at home.

The attempted results are an significative improvement of aerobic capacity(peak VO2 and six minutes walking test) and the others secondary criteria in FES group compared with Sham group.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years to 85 Years

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

Yes

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Advanced Chronic Heart Failure (NYHA III to IV)

Cardiac Ejection Fraction < 40 %

peak VO2 < 16 ml/kg/min,

optimal drug treatment of CHF,

hospitalised for acute decompensation but not in intensive care

Exclusion Criteria:

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with FEV < 50%,

History of stroke with walking disability, dementia.

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01548508